{"id":470,"date":"2020-11-03T15:34:52","date_gmt":"2020-11-03T21:34:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/desoto.org\/?page_id=470"},"modified":"2021-05-26T16:04:59","modified_gmt":"2021-05-26T21:04:59","slug":"1955-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/desoto.org\/1955-2\/","title":{"rendered":"1955"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"vce-row-container\" data-vce-boxed-width=\"true\"><div class=\"vce-row vce-row--col-gap-30 vce-row-content--top\" id=\"el-a8a43f57\" data-vce-do-apply=\"all el-a8a43f57\"><div class=\"vce-row-content\" data-vce-element-content=\"true\"><div class=\"vce-col vce-col--md-auto vce-col--xs-1 vce-col--xs-last vce-col--xs-first vce-col--sm-last vce-col--sm-first vce-col--md-last vce-col--lg-last vce-col--xl-last vce-col--md-first vce-col--lg-first vce-col--xl-first\" id=\"el-3e3a988a\"><div class=\"vce-col-inner\" data-vce-do-apply=\"border margin background  el-3e3a988a\"><div class=\"vce-col-content\" data-vce-element-content=\"true\" data-vce-do-apply=\"padding el-3e3a988a\"><div class=\"vce-single-image-container vce-single-image--align-left\"><div class=\"vce vce-single-image-wrapper\" id=\"el-dbe55ebe\" data-vce-do-apply=\"all el-dbe55ebe\"><figure><div class=\"vce-single-image-inner vce-single-image--absolute\"><\/div><figcaption hidden=\"\"><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vce-text-block\"><div class=\"vce-text-block-wrapper vce\" id=\"el-289df6a4\" data-vce-do-apply=\"all el-289df6a4\"><p style=\"text-align: center; line-height: 1;\"><span style=\"font-size: 36pt;\">1955<\/span><\/p><p style=\"text-align: center; line-height: 1;\"><em>Smartest of the Smart Cars<\/em><\/p><p>In 1954, after many years of focusing primarily on reliability and comfort, Chrysler Corporation found itself severly behind in the styling department and in need of a major update. That update came in the form of Virgil Exner's legendary \"Forward Look\" design; the concept of a car appearing to be in motion even when standing still. Carried over from the previous year was the toothy grille design, but that was about it as far as design was concerned. The cars were sleeker, lower, and overall sportier in appearance compared to the previous models. Also new was the striking color sweep option that was both eye-appealing and added to the look of motion.<\/p><p><span style=\"letter-spacing: 0.16px;\">Going along with the theme \"Smartest of the Smart Cars\", the newly-designed windshield wrapped around the sides for better visibility of the road than the previous design. Newly designed one-year-only wheel covers featuring the \"DeS\" logo matched that of the roof badge design on the Sportsman models. Full-time power steering and power brakes were available on both the S-21 Fireflite model and S-22 Firedomes, though power steering was not available with the manual transmission. Power or manual brake cars utilized a 6 wheel cylinder system (4 front, 2 rear) for fully controlled stopping. Under the hood, the hemi was increased to 291 inches from the previous 276. For the first time, a 4 barrel carburetor was available, which was standard on the Fireflite model and produced a respectable 200 horsepower.<\/span><\/p><p>1955 would be the second year for both the Powerflite automatic transmission, as well as the Coronado trim package. The latter was modified from the white and teal combination of 1954 to a tri-tone combination of teal, white, and black in 1955. Those colors could be arranged in any order between the roof, main body, and sweep, for a grand total of 6 color combinations available. The Coronado was still the highest trim level DeSoto available, though that was the new senior level Fireflite model in 1955 as opposed to the top-of-the-line Firedome model in 1954 (above the Powermaster). The 1955 Coronado is noted as being the only DeSoto to come with a factory tri-tone paint scheme.<\/p><p>Firedome engine: 291 c.i. (hemi) 2 bbl standard<\/p><p><span style=\"letter-spacing: 0.16px;\">Fireflite engine: 291 c.i. (hemi) 4 bbl standard<\/span><\/p><p>Wheelbase: 126 inches<\/p><p>Los Angeles Firedome VIN Start: 64022001<\/p><p>Los Angeles Firedome VIN End: 64026847<\/p><p>Detroit Firedome VIN Start: 55185000<\/p><p>Detroit Firedome VIN End: 55256392<\/p><p>Los Angeles Fireflite VIN Start: 62045001<\/p><p>Los Angeles Fireflite VIN End: 62047586<\/p><p>Detroit Fireflite VIN Start: 50330000<\/p><p>Detroit Fireflite VIN End: 50364093<\/p><p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 24pt;\"><strong>Production Numbers<\/strong><\/span><\/p><p style=\"letter-spacing: 0.16px;\">Firedome 4-Door Sedans Produced: 46,388<\/p><p style=\"letter-spacing: 0.16px;\">Firedome Special 2-Door Hardtops Produced: <em>Included in Firedome Sportsman total<\/em><\/p><p>Firedome Sportsman 2-Door Hardtops Produced: *28,944<\/p><p style=\"letter-spacing: 0.16px;\">Firedome Convertibles Produced: 625<\/p><p style=\"letter-spacing: 0.16px;\">Firedome Wagons Produced: 1,803<\/p><p>Fireflite 4-Door Sedans Produced: **26,637<\/p><p>Fireflite Sportsman 2-Door Hardtops Produced: 10,313<\/p><p>Fireflite Convertibles Produced: 775<\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><em>*Firedome Special Coupe and Firedome Sportsman production figures are combined<\/em><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\"><em>**Fireflite Coronado sedans were included with the Fireflite sedan total<\/em><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt;\">Source: <em>The Plymouth and DeSoto Story<\/em> by Don Butler<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vce-row-container\" data-vce-boxed-width=\"true\"><div class=\"vce-row vce-row--col-gap-30 vce-row-content--top\" id=\"el-dc125532\" data-vce-do-apply=\"all el-dc125532\"><div class=\"vce-row-content\" data-vce-element-content=\"true\"><div class=\"vce-col vce-col--md-auto vce-col--xs-1 vce-col--xs-last vce-col--xs-first vce-col--sm-last vce-col--sm-first vce-col--md-last vce-col--lg-last vce-col--xl-last vce-col--md-first vce-col--lg-first vce-col--xl-first\" id=\"el-7685ba49\"><div class=\"vce-col-inner\" data-vce-do-apply=\"border margin background  el-7685ba49\"><div class=\"vce-col-content\" data-vce-element-content=\"true\" data-vce-do-apply=\"padding el-7685ba49\"><div class=\"vce-single-image-container vce-single-image--align-center\"><div class=\"vce vce-single-image-wrapper\" id=\"el-cc460c49\" data-vce-do-apply=\"all el-cc460c49\"><figure><div class=\"vce-single-image-inner vce-single-image--absolute\" style=\"padding-bottom: 130.169%; width: 590px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"vce-single-image vcv-lozad\" data-src=\"https:\/\/desoto.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/1955-DeSoto-Ad-05.jpg\" width=\"590\" height=\"768\" src=\"\" data-img-src=\"https:\/\/desoto.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/1955-DeSoto-Ad-05.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" \/><noscript>\n        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"vce-single-image\" src=\"https:\/\/desoto.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/1955-DeSoto-Ad-05.jpg\" width=\"590\" height=\"768\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" \/>\n      <\/noscript><\/div><figcaption hidden=\"\"><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vce-single-image-container vce-single-image--align-center\"><div class=\"vce vce-single-image-wrapper\" id=\"el-6efbf969\" data-vce-do-apply=\"all el-6efbf969\"><figure><div class=\"vce-single-image-inner vce-single-image--absolute\" style=\"padding-bottom: 62.5%; width: 1024px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"vce-single-image vcv-lozad\" data-src=\"https:\/\/desoto.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/s-l1600-2.jpg\" width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" src=\"\" data-img-src=\"https:\/\/desoto.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/s-l1600-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" \/><noscript>\n        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"vce-single-image\" src=\"https:\/\/desoto.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/s-l1600-2.jpg\" width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" \/>\n      <\/noscript><\/div><figcaption hidden=\"\"><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vce-single-image-container vce-single-image--align-center\"><div class=\"vce vce-single-image-wrapper\" id=\"el-10554726\" data-vce-do-apply=\"all el-10554726\"><figure><div class=\"vce-single-image-inner vce-single-image--absolute\" style=\"padding-bottom: 129.293%; width: 792px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"vce-single-image vcv-lozad\" data-src=\"https:\/\/desoto.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/tumblr_pa6q72ha8B1wyn6mwo1_1280.jpg\" width=\"792\" height=\"1024\" src=\"\" data-img-src=\"https:\/\/desoto.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/tumblr_pa6q72ha8B1wyn6mwo1_1280.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" \/><noscript>\n        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"vce-single-image\" src=\"https:\/\/desoto.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/tumblr_pa6q72ha8B1wyn6mwo1_1280.jpg\" width=\"792\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" \/>\n      <\/noscript><\/div><figcaption hidden=\"\"><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vce-single-image-container vce-single-image--align-center\"><div class=\"vce vce-single-image-wrapper\" id=\"el-377868e1\" data-vce-do-apply=\"all el-377868e1\"><figure><div class=\"vce-single-image-inner vce-single-image--absolute\" style=\"padding-bottom: 145.248%; width: 705px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"vce-single-image vcv-lozad\" data-src=\"https:\/\/desoto.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/38f2b2a106e2b3e7c97e5d60c8cf4d40.jpg\" width=\"705\" height=\"1024\" src=\"\" data-img-src=\"https:\/\/desoto.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/38f2b2a106e2b3e7c97e5d60c8cf4d40.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" \/><noscript>\n        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"vce-single-image\" src=\"https:\/\/desoto.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/38f2b2a106e2b3e7c97e5d60c8cf4d40.jpg\" width=\"705\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" \/>\n      <\/noscript><\/div><figcaption hidden=\"\"><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vce-single-image-container vce-single-image--align-center\"><div class=\"vce vce-single-image-wrapper\" id=\"el-fcd13d9d\" data-vce-do-apply=\"all el-fcd13d9d\"><figure><div class=\"vce-single-image-inner vce-single-image--absolute\" style=\"padding-bottom: 133.5%; width: 400px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"vce-single-image vcv-lozad\" data-src=\"https:\/\/desoto.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/d9d9a75b2cf993627576f253f975a4ed.jpg\" width=\"400\" height=\"534\" src=\"\" data-img-src=\"https:\/\/desoto.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/d9d9a75b2cf993627576f253f975a4ed.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" \/><noscript>\n        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"vce-single-image\" src=\"https:\/\/desoto.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/d9d9a75b2cf993627576f253f975a4ed.jpg\" width=\"400\" height=\"534\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" \/>\n      <\/noscript><\/div><figcaption hidden=\"\"><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vce-single-image-container vce-single-image--align-center\"><div class=\"vce vce-single-image-wrapper\" id=\"el-c6dceca3\" data-vce-do-apply=\"all el-c6dceca3\"><figure><div class=\"vce-single-image-inner vce-single-image--absolute\" style=\"padding-bottom: 62.5%; width: 1024px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"vce-single-image vcv-lozad\" data-src=\"https:\/\/desoto.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/1955-De-Soto-Fireflite-Convertible.jpg\" width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" src=\"\" data-img-src=\"https:\/\/desoto.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/1955-De-Soto-Fireflite-Convertible.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" \/><noscript>\n        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"vce-single-image\" src=\"https:\/\/desoto.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/1955-De-Soto-Fireflite-Convertible.jpg\" width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" \/>\n      <\/noscript><\/div><figcaption hidden=\"\"><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vce-single-image-container vce-single-image--align-center\"><div class=\"vce vce-single-image-wrapper\" id=\"el-b183dab2\" data-vce-do-apply=\"all el-b183dab2\"><figure><div class=\"vce-single-image-inner vce-single-image--absolute\" style=\"padding-bottom: 67.1875%; width: 1024px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"vce-single-image vcv-lozad\" data-src=\"https:\/\/desoto.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/1955-De-Soto-Fireflite-4-Door-Sedan-2.jpg\" width=\"1024\" height=\"688\" src=\"\" data-img-src=\"https:\/\/desoto.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/1955-De-Soto-Fireflite-4-Door-Sedan-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" \/><noscript>\n        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"vce-single-image\" src=\"https:\/\/desoto.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/1955-De-Soto-Fireflite-4-Door-Sedan-2.jpg\" width=\"1024\" height=\"688\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" \/>\n      <\/noscript><\/div><figcaption hidden=\"\"><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vce-single-image-container vce-single-image--align-center\"><div class=\"vce vce-single-image-wrapper\" id=\"el-c519a9f6\" data-vce-do-apply=\"all el-c519a9f6\"><figure><div class=\"vce-single-image-inner vce-single-image--absolute\" style=\"padding-bottom: 66.4062%; width: 1024px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"vce-single-image vcv-lozad\" data-src=\"https:\/\/desoto.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/1955-DeSoto-Ad-03.jpg\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" src=\"\" data-img-src=\"https:\/\/desoto.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/1955-DeSoto-Ad-03.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" \/><noscript>\n        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"vce-single-image\" src=\"https:\/\/desoto.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/1955-DeSoto-Ad-03.jpg\" width=\"1024\" height=\"680\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" \/>\n      <\/noscript><\/div><figcaption hidden=\"\"><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vce-single-image-container vce-single-image--align-center\"><div class=\"vce vce-single-image-wrapper\" id=\"el-987befd6\" data-vce-do-apply=\"all el-987befd6\"><figure><div class=\"vce-single-image-inner vce-single-image--absolute\" style=\"padding-bottom: 67.5%; width: 640px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"vce-single-image vcv-lozad\" data-src=\"https:\/\/desoto.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/cb00944eaae95b0f4128bd1243f1d3ae.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"432\" src=\"\" data-img-src=\"https:\/\/desoto.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/cb00944eaae95b0f4128bd1243f1d3ae.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" \/><noscript>\n        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"vce-single-image\" src=\"https:\/\/desoto.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/cb00944eaae95b0f4128bd1243f1d3ae.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"432\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" \/>\n      <\/noscript><\/div><figcaption hidden=\"\"><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vce-single-image-container vce-single-image--align-center\"><div class=\"vce vce-single-image-wrapper\" id=\"el-7c875699\" data-vce-do-apply=\"all el-7c875699\"><figure><div class=\"vce-single-image-inner vce-single-image--absolute\" style=\"padding-bottom: 67.2308%; width: 650px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"vce-single-image vcv-lozad\" data-src=\"https:\/\/desoto.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/desoto-1955-pg10.jpg\" width=\"650\" height=\"437\" src=\"\" data-img-src=\"https:\/\/desoto.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/desoto-1955-pg10.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" \/><noscript>\n        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"vce-single-image\" src=\"https:\/\/desoto.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/desoto-1955-pg10.jpg\" width=\"650\" height=\"437\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" \/>\n      <\/noscript><\/div><figcaption hidden=\"\"><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div><div class=\"vce-single-image-container vce-single-image--align-center\"><div class=\"vce vce-single-image-wrapper\" id=\"el-e40609ee\" data-vce-do-apply=\"all el-e40609ee\"><figure><div class=\"vce-single-image-inner vce-single-image--absolute\" style=\"padding-bottom: 75%; width: 480px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"vce-single-image vcv-lozad\" data-src=\"https:\/\/desoto.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/hqdefault.jpg\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" src=\"\" data-img-src=\"https:\/\/desoto.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/hqdefault.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" \/><noscript>\n        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"vce-single-image\" src=\"https:\/\/desoto.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/hqdefault.jpg\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" \/>\n      <\/noscript><\/div><figcaption hidden=\"\"><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>1955Smartest of the Smart CarsIn 1954, after many years of focusing primarily on reliability and comfort, Chrysler Corporation found itself severly behind in the styling department and in need of a major update. That update came in the form of Virgil Exner&#8217;s legendary &#8220;Forward Look&#8221; design; the concept of a car appearing to be in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":456,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-470","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/desoto.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/470","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/desoto.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/desoto.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/desoto.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/456"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/desoto.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=470"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/desoto.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/470\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/desoto.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=470"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}